Phelsuma kochi
—
Koch’s Day Gecko
Raxworthy et al split this species from Phelsuma madagascariensis in a 2007 journal article.
According to the range map in Glaw and Vences, Anjajavy is in a zone that overlaps the ranges of Phelsuma grandis and Phelsuma kochi.
P. kochi is generally less bright green than P. grandis, and tends to have a broken pattern rather than a solid color. The ones we saw at Anjajavy varied a considerable amount, though this one shows a more broken, reticulated pattern than the P. grandis we had seen elsewhere.
Here is a list of all the reptiles and frogs I saw on this 2007 trip to Madagascar.
This very large individual was deep in the forest. It has a considerably more solid color then the one I photographed on the previous day, making it more closely resemble P. grandis.
A tiny baby in the forest, and a huge faded adult on our room's veranda, were two of our last geckos from this trip to Madagascar. I hope someday I will be able to go back and see more of these stunningly beautiful animals.
Printed references:
- Bradt, H., Schuurman, D., Garbutt, N. 1996. Madagascar Wildlife: A Visitor's Guide
- Glaw, F., Vences, M. 2007. A Field Guide to the Amphibians and Reptiles of Madagascar, Third Edition
- Glaw, F., Vences, M. 1994. A Fieldguide to the Amphibians and Reptiles of Madagascar, Second Edition
- Henkel, F., Schmidt, W. 2000. Amphibians and Reptiles of Madagascar and the Mascarene, Seychelles, and Comoro Islands
- Preston-Mafham, K. 1991. Madagascar: A Natural History
- Rogner, M. 1997. Lizards